Councillor Sue Shanks, chairwoman of the committee, will now ask parents whether they want the school to become an academy and then present the results to headteacher Derek Trimmer and his senior leadership team.

A parent pressure group – Hands Off Hove Park - set up by parent Sharon Duggal, has gathered thousands of signatures on a petition opposing the proposals.

Even if the results show an overwhelming opposition to the school becoming an academy, the governors may still push ahead with the conversion.

She said: “It’s difficult to predict the outcome of the ballot, but we hope people will be of the same opinion as us.

“We know the governors will have the final say, but as parents we deserve to have our views listened to.

“This is not about politics – this is about principles.”

Labour councillor Penny Gilbey told the committee it would affect people in her ward of North Portslade.

She said parents had picked Hove Park over Portslade Aldridge Community Academy because they did not want their children educated in an academy.

She said: “This is not about whether we agree with academies or not, this is about whether parents agree or not.

“It’s by no means a criticism of the school or the headteacher, the parents should be given the opportunity to be consulted.”

Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result.

He said: “I think this has become a Hove v Gove debate, and that’s a real shame.

“We’re big supporters of the management team at the school and we trust them to make the right decision.”

Mark Drayton, governor at West Hove Junior School, a Hove Park feeder school, said: “It will give the governors something else to think about – it just adds another element to the debate.”

Comments (15)

It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.Plantpot

"I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom."

Do you really believe that all those national organisations that 'sponsor' multiple academies don't exercise centralised control?

Michael Gove will still be telling children which books to read regardless. That's proper central control - managing what children are allowed to think not just who can attend.

"I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom."
Do you really believe that all those national organisations that 'sponsor' multiple academies don't exercise centralised control?
Michael Gove will still be telling children which books to read regardless. That's proper central control - managing what children are allowed to think not just who can attend.LB

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:

The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...

Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?

Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?

The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.

"Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "

I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy!

[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:
The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...
Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?
Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?
The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.
"Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "
I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy!whatone

Its very refreshing to see these parents expressing there views too often people just let things happen.The authorities and government know they can get away with just about anything as people can't be bothered to object.So well done to these parents things do change if you object and challenge wrong decisions GOOD LUCK.

Its very refreshing to see these parents expressing there views too often people just let things happen.The authorities and government know they can get away with just about anything as people can't be bothered to object.So well done to these parents things do change if you object and challenge wrong decisions GOOD LUCK.clubrob6

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Like the freedom used by the PACA head to remove students he didn't deem worthy from his school ? Like the freedom to teach whatever they like and ignore what they don't ? Like the freedom to allow companies such s Capita to have a say in school policy ?

This so called freedom does nothing for students education and instead fills a few peoples pockets. Of course, many are fooled by the sudden arrival of lavish new buildings paid for by private companies but they don't build them out of the kindness of their hearts.

[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Like the freedom used by the PACA head to remove students he didn't deem worthy from his school ? Like the freedom to teach whatever they like and ignore what they don't ? Like the freedom to allow companies such s Capita to have a say in school policy ?
This so called freedom does nothing for students education and instead fills a few peoples pockets. Of course, many are fooled by the sudden arrival of lavish new buildings paid for by private companies but they don't build them out of the kindness of their hearts.Fight_Back

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Like the freedom used by the PACA head to remove students he didn't deem worthy from his school ? Like the freedom to teach whatever they like and ignore what they don't ? Like the freedom to allow companies such s Capita to have a say in school policy ?

This so called freedom does nothing for students education and instead fills a few peoples pockets. Of course, many are fooled by the sudden arrival of lavish new buildings paid for by private companies but they don't build them out of the kindness of their hearts.

Real world examples would be good, and to understand what percentage of academies allow this to happen, and for you to confirm that this doesn't happen in any state schools.

I look forward to your in-depth info.

[quote][p][bold]Fight_Back[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Like the freedom used by the PACA head to remove students he didn't deem worthy from his school ? Like the freedom to teach whatever they like and ignore what they don't ? Like the freedom to allow companies such s Capita to have a say in school policy ?
This so called freedom does nothing for students education and instead fills a few peoples pockets. Of course, many are fooled by the sudden arrival of lavish new buildings paid for by private companies but they don't build them out of the kindness of their hearts.[/p][/quote]Real world examples would be good, and to understand what percentage of academies allow this to happen, and for you to confirm that this doesn't happen in any state schools.
I look forward to your in-depth info.Plantpot

[quote][p][bold]LB[/bold] wrote:
"I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom."
Do you really believe that all those national organisations that 'sponsor' multiple academies don't exercise centralised control?
Michael Gove will still be telling children which books to read regardless. That's proper central control - managing what children are allowed to think not just who can attend.[/p][/quote]http://www.education
.gov.uk/schools/lead
ership/typesofschool
s/academies/b0020569
2/whatisanacademyPlantpot

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:

The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...

Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?

Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?

The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.

&quot;Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "

I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy!

Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.

[quote][p][bold]whatone[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:
The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...
Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?
Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?
The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.
"Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "
I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy![/p][/quote]Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.Plantpot

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:

The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...

Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?

Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?

The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.

&quot;Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "

I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy!

Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.

I should also have said that ref performance it always depends on the starting point and the potential of the pupils, as well as the quality of the teaching.

Can't find anything more recently, but this study tentatively suggests academies are improving more quickly than state schools with equivalent demographics - info via the NAO:

http://blogs.channel
4.com/factcheck/fact
check/8994

[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]whatone[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:
The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...
Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?
Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?
The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.
"Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "
I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy![/p][/quote]Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.[/p][/quote]I should also have said that ref performance it always depends on the starting point and the potential of the pupils, as well as the quality of the teaching.
Can't find anything more recently, but this study tentatively suggests academies are improving more quickly than state schools with equivalent demographics - info via the NAO:
http://blogs.channel
4.com/factcheck/fact
check/8994Plantpot

Plantpot wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?

I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.

Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:

The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...

Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?

Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?

The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.

&quot;Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "

I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy!

Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.

plantpot

"Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though."

The big difference though is that single word - unaccountability.

A small example was when there was the recent food scandals.

LEA's had to reveal their school meal suppliers and yet academies did not have to.

Indeed academies don't even have to have basic food standards at all !

[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]whatone[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Plantpot[/bold] wrote:
It's not about politics apparently, but the banner in the photo would suggest otherwise. If the parents say they trust the leadership team, why would they not give them the freedom to run the school as they wish?
I can never understand people that choose centralised control over freedom.[/p][/quote]Sadly the 'freedom' that often arises from privatisation (aka academisation) is the freedom for the following:
The head's salary goes through the roof,
Dodgy deals involving governors' companies,
Hiring of unqualified 'teachers',
Private companies making a profit out of education from taxpayers money,
Unaccountability...
Of course the fact that the average academy performs worse than the average LEA run school wouldn't bother you either?
Or the fact that academy chains have started to fail and the taxpayer has to pick up the pieces?
The following quote shows you how much 'freedom' we actually have.
"Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls did not support the ballot and said the move towards all schools becoming academies would continue regardless of the result. "
I bet some fools still believe we live in a democracy![/p][/quote]Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though.[/p][/quote]plantpot
"Some things go wrong. They definitely go wrong in the state sector though."
The big difference though is that single word - unaccountability.
A small example was when there was the recent food scandals.
LEA's had to reveal their school meal suppliers and yet academies did not have to.
Indeed academies don't even have to have basic food standards at all !whatone

Labour councillor Penny Gilbey told the committee it would affect people in her ward of North Portslade....

There are enough pupils from HOVE wanting to go to THEIR local school so no need to worry about the outsiders from North Portslade

Labour councillor Penny Gilbey told the committee it would affect people in her ward of North Portslade....
There are enough pupils from HOVE wanting to go to THEIR local school so no need to worry about the outsiders from North PortsladeHove Actually

Parents in this city have a choice as to what senior school they wish their children to attend. Many parents chose not to send their children to academies and this was the case for 382 children in Portslade, not just a few "outsiders" some of whom live within half a mile of what they consider their school. Surely these along with ALL parents should be given the opportunity to be fully consulted by having an indicative vote on this. It will be for the Governors to make the decision.

Parents in this city have a choice as to what senior school they wish their children to attend. Many parents chose not to send their children to academies and this was the case for 382 children in Portslade, not just a few "outsiders" some of whom live within half a mile of what they consider their school. Surely these along with ALL parents should be given the opportunity to be fully consulted by having an indicative vote on this. It will be for the Governors to make the decision.Penny Portslade

This proposal is quite outrageous, and till now parent/pupil involvement has been on Mr Trimmer's terms only. Glossy booklets, with glaring errors and political statements have been produced - no idea who paid for these - perhaps the Head would like to tell us, although he usually can't be bothered to answer any questions that do not suit his agenda.

As for Plant Pots's "central control" comment above - Academy funding is direct from Whitehall - don't think you can get further towards central control than that!!!

Well done to both Greens and Labour.
This proposal is quite outrageous, and till now parent/pupil involvement has been on Mr Trimmer's terms only. Glossy booklets, with glaring errors and political statements have been produced - no idea who paid for these - perhaps the Head would like to tell us, although he usually can't be bothered to answer any questions that do not suit his agenda.
As for Plant Pots's "central control" comment above - Academy funding is direct from Whitehall - don't think you can get further towards central control than that!!!ourcoalition